[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H11467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A BALANCED BUDGET AND THE DEBT CEILING

  (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I would suggest to the previous 
speaker, learn the facts and that would enhance everybody's conclusion 
of what is best for this country.
  I am usually not critical on a partisan basis. But looking at what 
some of the Democrats have suggested, looking at what Secretary Rubin 
looks into that television camera and tells the American people is less 
than the honest truth.
  I think it is important, No. 1, that we end up with a balanced budget 
in this country. I think it is important that we use the single, sole 
leverage that we have, and that is holding back the vote on yet again 
increasing the debt ceiling of the United States of America. We have 
increased this debt ceiling 77 times since 1940. It has become a matter 
of tradition. I say it is enough.
  I say let us do what was done in 1985 and 1986 during Gramm-Rudman. 
Let us do what was done to President Bush in 1990. Let us use the debt 
ceiling vote as leverage.
  I would ask everybody to attend the Joint Committee on Policy meeting 
tomorrow at 10 a.m.

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